Seven Household Uses for 3% Hydrogen Peroxide  

Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂, the 3% version found in drug stores) is an excellent disinfectant that can be used for several household tasks.  It has also been recommended for other uses where it doesn't work well. We'll look at both.

Very Good Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide

• Sanitize a wooden cutting board or countertops. The US Environmental Protection Agency has approved hydrogen peroxide as a sanitizer.
• Use 3% H₂O₂ to clean your toilet if you have a septic tank. It acts like a bleach but won't harm the septic system.
• If you have a toothache and can't get to a dentist for a few days, hold a capful of 3% H₂O₂ in your mouth for a minute or so, several times a day to reduce the pain.
• To lighten your hair color spray a diluted 1.5% H₂O₂ on the wet hair after shampooing. Comb out and dry your hair as usual. This should produce a gradual lightening of the hair color that maintains the natural variation and highlights.
• A cup of 3% H₂O₂ can be used to whiten clothes instead of bleach. It can be poured directly onto stains before washing.
• Use 3% H₂O₂ as a vegetable wash to kill germs and remove chemicals.
• Use 3% H₂O₂ as a disinfectant to kill mold.

Less Helpful Suggestions

Here are several uses for H₂O₂ that some people have tried but experts don't recommend:

• Using 3% H₂O₂ to bleach teeth, or as a mouthwash, can soften the enamel so its use should be limited.
• Soaking toothbrushes in 3% H₂O₂ doesn't really work because it's sensitive to light and isn't effective after a short time.
• H₂O₂ is unproven as a cure for foot fungus or other skin infections.
• H₂O₂ will sanitize a wound but it also damages healthy cells that are needed to heal the wound.
• H₂O₂ is unproven as a douche for yeast infections.
• H₂O₂ is unproven as a nasal spray to unplug a sinus, or as ear-drops.
• H₂O₂ is unproven as an insecticide, fungicide or weed-killer.

Please note: The information here is not to be followed as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Please consult with your physician or primary health practitioner for information regarding your own personal health and necessary treatments.